We have Pirates! ARG!

The Pirates have invaded! What a great weekend! After a really long few weeks we got to have some real fun this weekend. First we had a great time at the Pirates and Princesses birthday party for our friends Cathleen and Aiden. It is so hard to believe they are 6 and 4 now. I find it hard to believe that all of our little six pack (now 7!) is growing up so fast!

I got a real treat this year and got to make Aiden's birthday cake. I had been wanting to make a Pirate ship cake for some time now but neither of my boys had ever wanted one, so Aiden let me make it. I got a great photo and so great guides from a friend at work, plus found some directions and suggestions on-line. We really had a lot of fun here making it - Tom and William went mini Pirate hunting..my mom baked the many cakes involved in the construction, and Tom and Patrick went candy shopping for the decorations. It really looked good if I do say so myself!

And then we went outside... icing glue and 95 degree weather and things started to melt...by the time we got to the party, one side of the cake looked like it had already been in battle. Luckily...it did not matter to Aiden...the smile made it all worth it. The panic, the blasting of the AC all the way to the party, the emergency icing at the house and the frantic emptying of the freezer...in the end the smiles went on for miles and while the Black Pearl it was not...neither was it the Titanic...

Today we got up and met the Stillings at The Renaissance Faire for Pirate day! WE always have so much fun when our two families spend time together, sadly we don't get to do it often enough! Our three pirates wore their earrings and had lots of fun! It never ceases to amaze me the wonderful people that go there. The boys were stopped all day by amazing costumed people bearing "booty" for all the kids. A lot of them don't even work there, they just love the place and they love the kids and families that come to visit. What characters! And how amazing that they stay in character the way they do! We have been several times and have seen and done new things every time. We always have a great time.

This year, Patrick adopted a baby Dragon at the Orphanage. He has wanted a pet for so long and he really like this little guy. He came with adoption papers and everything! His name is Big Rock...Rockey for short...he eats crickets and baby food. We shall see...I guess I will have to try and hold the lizard... ugh!

William on the other hand was captured by the mud people...the only way to get un-captured is for someone to put $ in the basket...and in the process take the risk of getting captures themselves. William had gotten captured saving someone else. It took a little bit of debate between us to see who was going to attempt to save him...the rest of the crowd wasn't moving...so daddy to the rescue! I am not sure I have seen him move that fast in a very long time...he did not get captured and we were on to the next adventure! We saw a joust, several shows, LOTS of Pirates (including captain Jack Sparrow!), took part in a treasure hunt, and pretty much ate our way through the village! We missed the human Chess match...but there is always next time and I for one can't wait!